Papa Buka Selected for International Competition at Minsk Film Festival

Bhubaneswar: The Indo–Papua New Guinea film Papa Buka, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dr. Bijukumar Damodaran (Dr. Biju), has been officially selected for the International Competition at the 31st Listapad – Minsk International Film Festival in Belarus, to be held from October 31 to November 7, 2025.

Out of a record 3,655 entries from 120 countries, only 17 films have made it to the competition section — with Papa Buka proudly among them. The film’s screening on November 2 will mark its international premiere.

Earlier, Papa Buka had its national premiere in Port Moresby during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence celebrations, an event graced by the country’s Prime Minister James Marape.

Shot entirely in Papua New Guinea, the film delves into forgotten World War II histories that connect India and Papua New Guinea through shared experiences of resilience and remembrance.

Featuring Sine Boboro, an 85-year-old tribal leader, alongside Ritabhari Chakraborty, Prakash Bare, and John Sike, Papa Buka is described as a poignant anti-war drama centered on healing, courage, and human connection.

The film’s music is composed by Ricky Kej, a three-time Grammy Award winner and UN Goodwill Ambassador, whose soulful score adds depth to the film’s message of peace and unity.

Produced jointly by Noelene Taula Wunum, Akshay Kumar Parija, Pa Ranjith, and Prakash Bare, the Indo–PNG co-production stands as a symbol of cultural collaboration and shared storytelling.

“Papa Buka is not just a film—it’s a bridge between two nations and their intertwined histories,” said the makers.

The film’s selection at Minsk marks another milestone in its journey, placing Papua New Guinea and India together on the global cinematic stage.